Where I Become Myself: A Heartfelt Journey from Russia

On the global stage of the healthcare market, where Vatech operates in over 100 countries with 25 overseas subsidiaries, Explore Vatech Networks Russia.

Shall we dive into the story shared by Mariya Kolyupanova, who oversees all PR operations at Vatech Russia?

Hello! My name is Mariya Kolyupanova, and I head the PR Team at Vatech Russia. Our office may be compact, with just 54 people, but it’s full of drive and energy.

We promote advanced digital solutions for dentistry, from intraoral sensors to CBCT systems. My responsibilities cover every aspect of communication: branding, exhibitions, marketing materials, social media, partner campaigns, distributor marketing support, and much more.

Every day, I collaborate with colleagues, partners across Russia, and our valued clients.

What shaped me

This July marks my 10th year at Vatech. When I first joined in 2015, our team was just six people. Fresh out of university with a degree in programming, I was looking for something that had room to grow. The title “website administrator” sounded simple enough, and I thought I would just be posting updates and sharing company news. But within a month, I found myself designing layouts for banners, brochures, and booklets.

Six months later, I was organizing my first exhibition, creating campaign concepts, and running our social media channels. Step by step, I grew from a web designer to a PR manager, and today, I lead all PR initiatives across Russia and the CIS.

Before joining Vatech, I barely knew anything about South Korea. Growing up in southern Russia, the Koreans I knew were mostly local “Russian Koreans” who worked in agriculture. At Vatech, I discovered a very different Korea, one that is modern, innovative, deeply thoughtful, and full of inspiring contrasts.

Where I Stand

We spend a lot of time together at work, but the bond goes far beyond office walls. Many of us keep in touch even with former colleagues who have moved on to new adventures, and that says a lot about the kind of team we are. One of our favorite traditions is our annual camping trip, affectionately called “Vatech Open Air.” Picture this: summer sunshine, tall trees, a gentle river, a crackling bonfire, guitar songs, and the smell of barbecue in the air.

The star of the weekend is our colleague from the service team, Alexey Morozov, who cooks an unforgettable pilaf over the fire in a cast-iron pot using his own secret recipe. It always becomes the highlight of our second day.

Vatech, to me, is more than just a workplace. It’s a space of friendship, mutual support, and a shared passion for what we do.

What lies ahead

Professionally, I aim to keep advancing our digital direction and embrace new, innovative approaches, including AI, which our entire marketing team actively uses in both creative and everyday work. What excites me most is not just creating content, but building a meaningful brand experience.

Vatech Russia continues to expand, with four branches now open across the country and a growing presence in the CIS region. This brings incredible opportunities for our marketing team to evolve as well.

We’re learning how to collaborate effectively across distances and design unified PR campaigns that resonate in every region. There’s still a long road ahead, and much to learn along the way, and that’s exactly what makes the journey inspiring.

On a more personal note, this year holds a very special chapter for me: I’m expecting my first child, a baby girl. It’s a deeply emotional milestone, as I’ll be the second mother in our company, after my colleague Zhenya from accounting, who welcomed her son Vyacheslav last year. So now, Vatech Russia isn’t just about technology. It’s also about something beautifully human, the joy of growing together as a team and as a family.

Thank you for being here. Vatech is a place where you can grow, experiment, stay true to yourself, and do work that truly matters. We don’t just manufacture equipment; we nurture a culture built on care, precision, and trust. And above all, we know how to stay connected as friends, no matter the time zones, languages, or screens between us. If you’re just beginning your own journey, don’t be afraid to explore. The most beautiful stories often begin where you least expect them, just like mine.